The latest round of South American World Cup qualifiers delivered plenty of drama, with Argentina and Brazil both facing frustrating nights. Despite their struggles, Argentina remains at the top of the standings, while Brazil sits provisionally in third place.
Argentina Shocked by Paraguay
Lionel Messi and his Argentina squad suffered a surprising 2-1 loss to Paraguay on Thursday. Despite the defeat, Argentina holds onto first place in the 10-team round-robin competition with 22 points from 11 matches.
The match in Asuncion was intense from the start. Lautaro Martinez gave Argentina an early lead in the 11th minute with a precise strike that was validated after a video review. Paraguay responded quickly with an incredible bicycle kick from Antonio Sanabria in the 19th minute, leveling the score.
Paraguay continued to press, and in the 47th minute, Omar Alderete headed in the winning goal, putting his team back in the race for World Cup qualification. Messi, heavily marked throughout the match, had limited opportunities to influence the game. His frustrations were evident as he clashed with the referee over Paraguay’s aggressive play.
Interestingly, the Paraguayan authorities had banned local fans from wearing Messi jerseys in the crowd, ensuring the stands were a sea of red and white.
Vinicius Junior Misses Crucial Penalty for Brazil
Meanwhile, Brazil’s Vinicius Junior had a night to forget in their 1-1 draw against Venezuela. Brazil remains third in the standings with 17 points, but the match highlighted missed opportunities.
Vinicius had several chances, including a brilliant solo run in the first half that ended with a shot hitting the post. Brazil took the lead in the 43rd minute when Raphinha converted a free kick. However, Venezuela struck back immediately after halftime, with Telasco Segovia scoring a stunning equalizer.
Vinicius had a golden chance to secure victory after earning a penalty in the 67th minute, but his low shot was saved by Rafael Romo, and he missed the rebound. Venezuela’s Alexander Gonzalez was sent off late in the match for striking Gabriel Martinelli and Vinicius, but Brazil failed to capitalize on the advantage.
Other Matches and What’s Next
Elsewhere, Ecuador dominated Bolivia with a 4-0 victory, cementing their fifth-place position with 16 points. Bolivia remains in eighth with 12 points.
The 11th round continues Friday, with second-place Colombia visiting Uruguay and Peru hosting Chile in a clash of the bottom two teams.
Stay tuned for more action as the road to the 2026 World Cup intensifies.